Martha Van Alphen

After a long and fulfilling life, Martha Lakerveld Van Alphen, age 99, quietly passed away on April 5, 2025. She was born on January 1, 1926 in Den Helder, the Netherlands to Gerrit and Johanna Hermes Lakerveld and was the youngest of 4 children. As a young child, she moved to Haarlem, where she lived until she moved to the United States.

During World War II, Martha helped the war effort by carrying messages for her brother, Johan, who worked with the Dutch underground. Following the war, she met and fell in love with Catharinus (Cor) Van Alphen. They were married on March 29, 1950 in Haarlem, the Netherlands. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1952. They are the parents of 6 children.

Martha and Cor immigrated to Utah in 1950, initially settling in Holladay, where she cared for her two oldest daughters alone while her husband returned to the Netherlands to serve a two year mission. After his return, they moved to Midvale where she resided for 53 years.

Martha was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many callings throughout her life, including as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple. One of her very favorite callings was teaching the Mia Maids for 18 years. She talked of "her" Mia Maids for the rest of her life. Martha and Cor also served a mission to the Netherlands as a Senior couple.

Martha was a voracious reader. You could always find her with a book close at hand. Even when she lost most of her eyesight due to macular degeneration, she would listen to audio books.

Martha was an accomplished seamstress. She especially enjoyed sewing dresses for special occasions for her five daughters, even making her daughter, Tineke’s wedding dress. She taught her daughters to sew as well. She liked to knit and took the time to knit animal vests for all of her grandchildren. Although the kitchen was not her favorite place to be, she did master the art of cream puffs.They were always her "go-to" treat, and everyone loved them.

Martha is survived by her children Tineke (Brent) Larsen, JoAnn (VerDon) Parrish, Michael (Kayleen) Van Alphen, Christa (Jon) Ashton and Rebecca Van Alphen, 31 grandchildren, 83 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Emil and Johan Lakerveld, and sister Gerda Beckstead. She is also preceded in death by her sweetheart, Catharinus (Cor) Van Alphen, her daughter Corinne (Paul) Cloward, grandson Eric Larsen, great grandson Dallas Orton, and great grandson Kade Morris.

We would sincerely like to thank the wonderful staff at The Charleston Assisted Living Center for their loving and competent care of Mom these last 3 years. We would also like to thank the people from Hospice for their loving care during the last few weeks of her life.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Goff Mortuary, 8090 South State Street, Midvale, with a viewing from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd., Sandy.